Contact Us / Visit Us (click here)
If the Shopping Cart takes too long to respond, you can bypass the shopping cart and go straight to the checkout page by clicking the following link: Checkout.
International Customers Click Here [Updated 1/2024]
Loading Trivia . . .
'https://cdn.cougparts.com/dc/53234/1424731574_n.jpg','https://cdn.cougparts.com/dc/53234/1424731617_y.jpg','https://cdn.cougparts.com/sc/images/10003234_2.jpg'
  • Water Restrictor Plate - Modified - 351C - New ~ 1970 - 1973 Mercury Cougar / 1970 - 1973 Ford Mustang - 53234
  • Water Restrictor Plate - Modified - 351C - New ~ 1970 - 1973 Mercury Cougar / 1970 - 1973 Ford Mustang - 53234
  • Water Restrictor Plate - Modified - 351C - New ~ 1970 - 1973 Mercury Cougar / 1970 - 1973 Ford Mustang - 53234

Item #: 53234

Login to add this item
to a saved wishlist
Price: $24.55
    Cost: 1964
    Earns: 99
    Bonus: 0

    Availability

    In-Stock Item - Next Business Day

    Applications

    Description

    New water restrictor plate for the Mercury or Ford equipped with the 351 Cleveland engine. It has been an accepted fact for decades now that the 351C bypass system was not the greatest idea Ford ever came up with. The unique 351C thermostat "hat" never seals well, causing a certain portion of coolant to just circulate through the block and never make it to the radiator. Years ago, Pantera enthusiasts (all Panteras had cooling issues from the factory BTW) found that if they soldiered a penny into the hole in their restriction plate and used a standard small block Ford thermostat, their cooling issues all but disappeared. That trick worked fine until Ford discontinued the brass restrictor plate. 

    NOTE: The restrictor plate is installed "hat" down, as shown in the first picture above.

    This aluminum unit is designed to replace the brass plate and be installed as-is. Simply remove the original brass plate and tap this one back in its place. This unit must be used in conjunction with a standard thermostat , you cannot use the 351C unique thermostat with this block off plate. The tiny hole in the center is for air bleed only. Want to find out how to use a penny instead of purchasing this plate? Click hear to learn more!

    On a record hot day in Evansville, In at 108 degrees the car was driven a while. She never went over 200. Im so happy with this upgrade, get the WCCC part and a 160 thermostat and your problems are cured!

    Replaces Ford Part number D0AZ-8K517-A.


    For some helpful tips on upgrading your Cougar (or Mustang) cooling system, check out our video:


    Specifications:
    Shipping Weight: 0.02 LBS
    (weight shown may be the dimensional weight)

    This item must ship via

    review-star review-star review-star review-star review-star

    4.91 out of 5 stars
    Based upon 32 Review(s).
    5 Stars
    87%
    4 Stars
    6%
    3 Stars
    0%
    2 Stars
    0%
    1 Stars
    0%

    No more overheating!

    5.00 out of 5
    Material:
    review-star review-star review-star review-star review-star
    Fit:
    review-star review-star review-star review-star review-star
    Craftsmanship:
    review-star review-star review-star review-star review-star
    Correctness:
    review-star review-star review-star review-star review-star
    Pros:
    Cons:
    Product worked as advertised! I wish I would have found this before replace radiator.

    It’s a Christmas Miracle! 73 Mustang 351cleveland

    5.00 out of 5
    Material:
    review-star review-star review-star review-star review-star
    Fit:
    review-star review-star review-star review-star review-star
    Craftsmanship:
    review-star review-star review-star review-star review-star
    Correctness:
    review-star review-star review-star review-star review-star
    Pros:
    • Works as described
    Cons:
    • None
    This was installed along with a 160 thermostat. Before the needle was always near the top end of the range near hot. Now after this it’s in the middle at the highest temp. It does exactly as it says. Bypasses so the coolant actually goes through to cool the engine instead of flowing back to the water pump. Highly recommend you get one of experiencing running hot.

    Louisville CO
    2013

    So far so go!

    5.00 out of 5
    Material:
    review-star review-star review-star review-star review-star
    Fit:
    review-star review-star review-star review-star review-star
    Craftsmanship:
    review-star review-star review-star review-star review-star
    Correctness:
    review-star review-star review-star review-star review-star
    Pros:
    • 30 minute install.
    Cons:
    I put this in my 1973 Cougar 2 weeks ago. I have driven it about 100 miles. No more running hot at idle! I can't believe it took me years to find this product. I would highly recommend this if your 351 C is running hot. I would suggest WCC to have this populate when searching for cooling items for 351 C.

    France
    2018

    A breeze to install

    5.00 out of 5
    Material:
    review-star review-star review-star review-star review-star
    Fit:
    review-star review-star review-star review-star review-star
    Craftsmanship:
    review-star review-star review-star review-star review-star
    Correctness:
    review-star review-star review-star review-star review-star
    Pros:
    Cons:
    managed to remove original restrictor plate with 2screwdrivers, and install this new plate without issues.
    review image  

    Staten Island nyc
    2016

    Modified water restrictor plate

    5.00 out of 5
    Material:
    review-star review-star review-star review-star review-star
    Fit:
    review-star review-star review-star review-star review-star
    Craftsmanship:
    review-star review-star review-star review-star review-star
    Correctness:
    review-star review-star review-star review-star review-star
    Pros:
    • Great product
    Cons:
    • None
    Excellent product, works great, 170 deg with a 160 deg thermostat on a 92 deg day. Could use some instruction on removing the old plate. Text to support, said to use channel locks to pry out the old. Used a 7 inch channel and crushed the bottom of the old plate a bit then it mostly pried right out. Took about 15 min to get out. New one went right in using a socket to press it in place using a hammer

    Number of questions: 0
    Please login to ask a question.

    Why am I being warned about potential exposure to chemicals in motor vehicle parts?


    • Some chemicals in motor vehicle parts are on the Proposition 65 list because they can cause cancer and/or birth defects or other reproductive harm.
    • When purchasing USED or NOS items, we do not know if listed chemicals are present in these products.
    • This product is known to contain the following listed chemicals:
    WCCC hooked me up with an original glove box cable and the correct screws WITH shoulders for my glove box. Their listing for these screws explains that the original screws have a shoulder for the cable and most people put in the wrong screws--which...
    - Jim Davis
    I have been a cougar owner for just shy of 30 years, I have been dealing with part problems for a very long time. The people at WCCC have always be honest, and overly helpfull. I now have a 1970 XR-7 mostly rebuilt, and my son has a 1968 base...
    - Voodochild5
    What did you LIKE about your experience? * : I am fairly new to WCCC, four or five orders (at the time of writing), but I am blessed to have found WCCC for sure. I had a small problem, couldn't find anything to work for the condensation drain on my...
    - Kenneth Milden
    I have been working with Don Rush and his team for close to 20 years. In all of these years with many sales transactions I can say they have been 2nd to none. They have always been not only helpful but extremely knowledgeable. I certainly continue...
    - Denver
    I have made many purchases online with WCCC but chose this time to make a 1400 mile round trip and visited them in person. I brought a van load of parts with me that needed a home. Don helped unload them then quickly assessed the value which I...
    - pandamonium2112
    I just wanted to let you know that my order which was shipped (via UPS Mail Innovations) December 05 was at my front door, having gone thru Canada customs, on December 16. It arrived in excellent shape. Kudos to you guys, UPS, and the USPS for...
    - Rod (Saskatchewan, Canada)
    I liked that I could see a picture of parts and that you could type in what you were looking for. What was handy for me was the ability to chat with Darrell. He was a big help. Also high on the you gotta keep on staff was Joshua, I had some issues...
    - Rod (Canada)
    I was having difficulty placing my order on the website and spent a couple of hours trying with no luck (ending in immense frustration). I decided to finally just call and order my parts over the phone (4 small items). Was surprised that Don Rush...
    - Tim (1969 Cougar XR7)
    Brake booster failed on our 1970 Mach1. We had ordered a new 2022 Mach1 to match the old one and the dealer wanted to use both cars in a promotional ad. When we received the replacement booster it failed within a few minutes of installation. I...
    - Alan
    WCCC makes finding the right part with the right fit easy. I love that they try to get great parts and when there are parts that don't meet their standard they WARN you up front! I've bought new reproduction parts from them, used parts and even had...
    - Daniel
    E3D15